mhg83

This debate pops up every year with my Brother In Law. I agree with him that if it takes place around Christmas time it can be considered a Christmas movie. My sister disagrees saying that they need to have traditional themes in order to be considered X-Mas movie. Blowing up bad guys does not constitute as Christmassy. I would consider Lethal Weapon to have more X-Mas themes revolving around how a depressed suicidal person deals with Christmas is something not often covered in other Christmas movies.

dex14

Hmmm. It's been some time since I watched Lethal Weapon... but I don't remember the fact that it was around Christmas time really had any impact on the story. Die Hard it did... I consider Die Hard to be, but never thought of Lethal Weapon as one.

E Unit

They take place during Christmas, doesn't necessarily make them "Christmas" movies in the same vein as say Miracle on 34th Street or A Christmas Story. Although I do like the Shane Black movies that take place during Christmas such as Lethal Weapon, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Long Kiss Goodnight, and to a much lesser extent Iron Man 3. I actually watched KKBB last night because the wife and I were talking about Christmas movies. That one popped into my head.

Ash Ketchum

I'd forgotten about LONG KISS GOODNIGHT's Christmas setting. And it infuses the whole movie, from her getup as Mrs. Santa in a town parade at the beginning to that whole Christmas lights action scene at the end. Now that's a holiday movie I'll enjoy pulling off the shelf this season. Thanks!

Eddie W

It's not a Christmas movie if you would watch it any other time of year. I don't even think LW or DH were originally released anywhere near Christmastime. And I could watch them any day of the year.

A Christmas Story or movies like that must never be viewed between 12/26-11/30. To watch those in July would feel weird & icky.

stingermck

Absolutely.

I always watch Die Hard on Christmas eve.

Michael Corvin

I don't recall anything about LW's Christmas setting.

Die Hard on the other hand, Christmas all the way. It's a Christmas party, the soundtrack is littered with Christmas music/nods/sleigh bells, decorations, "Now I have a machine gun, Ho-ho-ho" (i.e. quotes), etc. It's a Christmas movie. Just because it doesn't have a Christmas plot/theme doesn't make it any less of a Christmas movie.

I mean if you're going to base it on plot/theme, Bad Santa isn't a Christmas movie either.

Alan Smithee

Any movie that takes part largely during the Christmas season, and either mentions it or has obvious Christmas decorations in the background, is a Christmas movie in my opinion. Most of Showgirls takes place during Christmas and has decorations around, though the holiday isn't mentioned there (and it's Halloween at the beginning when she arrives in Vegas.)

Lethal Weapon opens with the song "Jingle Bell Rock", so there you go- though that was originally released around spring and Die Hard in the summer. Gremlins is also a Christmas movie- Gizmo himself was a Christmas present.

TomOpus

So, "Eyes Wide Shut" is a Christmas movie?

klemsaba

Lethal Weapon opens up with the song Jingle Bell Rock. It's a Christmas movie!

jeffkjoe

Die Hard 2 is a Christmas movie too.

Trevor

Of course they aren't. I love Christmas movies, own 15 feet of shelving for them, and am glad that LW and DH count for the Christmas Challenge, but they aren't Christmas movies.

Mondo Kane

Same here.

As are:
Trancers
Gremlins
Invasion USA
Young Sherlock Holmes
Batman Returns

Match

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
The Last Boy Scout
Maybe Iron Man 3?

Mike86

I'd say no personally. A film's setting is different than it's overall theme so just because a movie takes place around a certain holiday or event doesn't necessarily make it related to that holiday or event.

asianxcore

It's interesting this thread came up, as a theater about 30-40 minutes north of where I live is doing a Double Feature of these films next Thursday.

inri222

Of course they are. Nothing says Christmas more than watching Mel Gibson & Bruce Willis kill a bunch of people.

"Peace on Earth and good will to men"

Alan Smithee

Eyes Wide Shut counts, though I haven't been able to find any gatherings like that near me. Didn't know about Invasion USA, will have to watch that on CED soon!

stvn1974

I am sure Jesus is a fan of both films. Santa too.

Mondo Kane

There was a youtube clip I saw awhile back that had

It was a perfect fit!

Coral

So a snuff film filmed in front of a Christmas tree is actually a Christmas movie.

A family cuddling together in front of an open fire, drinking egg-nog while the kids get scarred psychologically turning them into serial killers. That's the spirit of Christmas.

Mountain Biker

Nope, they're both action movies, not Christmas movies.

resinrats

They take place at Christmas but are not Christmas films. I can watch them in June and love the crap out of it. I'm sure not going to be watching Elf, Rudolf, or Miracle on 31's St in June.

Alan Smithee

Yep.

Well, you have a point there- but I try to watch at least one Christmas movie or special on the 4th of July, just because it's so wrong, and just because I can (remembering the days when you could only see those when they came on TV, which of course was around Christmas.)

Charlie Goose

I vote for neither being Christmas movies.

They take place AT Christmas, but they're not ABOUT Christmas.